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White Trinidadians and Tobagonians (sometimes referred as Euro-Trinidadians and Tobagonians or local-whites) are Trinidadians of European descent. However, while the term "White Trinidadian" is used to refer collectively to all Caucasians who are Trinidadian, whether by birth or naturalization, the term "local-white" is used to refer more specifically to Trinidad-born Caucasians and, in particular, those who trace their roots back to Trinidad's early settlers.

White Trinidadians and Tobagonians account for less than 1 percent of the population of Trinidad and Tobago. However, the classification is primarily a superficial description based on phenotypic description, as opposed to genotypical classification.

Most white Trinidadians and Tobagonians are of Portuguese stock, given that Trinidad and Tobago was once colonized by the Spanish, the French, and the British.

European Trinidadians are often referred to as French Creoles, even if are they are of non-French ancestry such as Spanish, British, Portuguese, or German descent.

History

The first Europeans to discover and settle in Trinidad and Tobago were the Spanish. Trinidad was originally a Spanish colony and was under Spanish rule until the British took hold of Trinidad in 1797. The French and the English later colonized the islands. The French arrived during Spanish colonization. Portuguese people were brought to replace freed African slaves. Europeans make up to 0.6 percent of Trinidad and Tobago's population. Many live in the suburbs of Port of Spain. Many Europeans in Trinidad and Tobago are of British, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and German heritage.

A small population of Portuguese Jews arrived in Trinidad in 1850 to 1900. They primarily came from Venezuela, British Honduras (now present-day Belize), and Curaçao.

Origins

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Many white Trinidadians originate from the colonial era, in which English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, German, and Corsican people filled the gap required to work as overseers on estates, farming sugarcane and cocoa, and to fill the gap required for labour on agricultural estates at the time.

Notable European Trinidadians and Tobagonians

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• Allan Alvarez (also known as Cheese), speedrunner
• Stephen Ames, golfer
• Ralph de Boissière, novelist
• George Bovell, swimmer
• Chris Birchall, footballer
• Arístides Calvani, Venezuelan politician and lawyer
• Mercedes Carvajal de Arocha, first female elected to the Senate of Venezuela
• Arthur Andrew Cipriani, politician
• Danny Cipriani, rugby player
• Albert Gomes, unionist, politician and writer
• Justin Guillen, cricketer
• Stephen Hart, footballer and manager of Trinidad and Tobago national team
• Francesca Hawkins, filmmaker, news anchor
• David Jenkins, sprinter
• Andrew Lewis, sailor
• Rory McKenzie, footballer
• Alfred Mendes, writer
• Sam Mendes, director
• Peter Minshall, artistry
• Sean De Silva, footballer
• Edmundo Ros, Venezuelan percussionist, singer and bandleader
• Jeff Stollmeyer, cricketer, senator, journalist, businessman
• Lowell Yerex, founder of BWIA
• Joshua Da Silva, West Indian and Trinidadian cricketer

See also

• Portuguese Trinidadians and Tobagonians
• Cocoa panyols

References

1. "Trinidad and Tobago 2011 Population and Housing Census Demographic Report" (PDF).
2. Walker, James (24 September 2012). "But You Not Even White! Prejudice and Light-skinned West Indians". Outlish. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
3. Butcher, Charity (16 April 2019). The Handbook of Cross-Border Ethnic and Religious Affinities. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781442250222.
4. World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples - Trinidad and Tobago
5. "The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago".
6. Brereton, Bridget (1996). An Introduction to the History of Trinidad and Tobago. Heinemann. ISBN 9780435984748.
7. Sheehan, Sean; Yong, Jui Lin; Oswald, Vanessa (15 April 2020). Trinidad and Tobago. Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC. p. 68. ISBN 9781502655820.
8. Arbell, Mordehay (2002). The Jewish Nation of the Caribbean: The Spanish-Portuguese Jewish Settlements in the Caribbean and the Guianas. Gefen Publishing House. ISBN 978-965-229-279-7.

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